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Hey everyone,

So I'm heading to Honduras in June. I'm overlanding from Cancun on a month journey so unfortunately I'll only have about 12 days in the country, but having just been PADI certified my main intent is diving.

Just as background - I really dislike cities, I love idyllic beaches, I love quiet laid-back places and not too much hustle and bustle. I want to be surrounded by some travelers to swap-stories and meet up with etc. but I don't want to be in a sea of tourists /w the occasional local. That said I realize the Bay Islands are "discovered" and have plenty of tourist infrastructure.

However, I was hoping someone could shed some light on what the various islands are actually like.

From what I gather:
Utila is smaller, flatter, cheaper, less spectacular, but also better suited for someone on a budget and perhaps a younger more laid-back crowd
Roatan is the more developed, more expensive and more spectacular island which is frequented by people on short jaunts who would rather get what they want fast and luxuriously
Guanaja seems like it is less developed and because of that you pay more than Utila, and perhaps has less nice beaches/reefs
And finally Cayos Cochinos is a national park so its best accessed on a day trip as opposed to staying there??

At the end of the day I was hoping people could give me their impressions of the islands and what the various ones are like so that I can find where to best spend my days!

And anyplace else along the north coast that is worth going to, lemme know!!!

Thanks!

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Well if you like laid back cities Cancun is not going to be good. Your trip sounds like fun, I am going to Mexico but no until next month. I am going to Puerto Aventuras, just a few miles away from Playa del Carmen. Wish I had the time to go over to Honduras :(

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Haha don't worry I'll be getting out of Cancun IMMEDIATELY, it was just the cheapest place to fly into and the bus heads south down the coast to the quieter spots. I'm meeting a friend in Cozumel working at one of the resorts as a dive instructor so it should be a good local orientation. But yeah!! I want to get down to Belize/Honduras pretty fast.

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Here's a few notes based on my experience:

"Utila is smaller, flatter, cheaper, less spectacular, but also better suited for someone on a budget and perhaps a younger more laid-back crowd"

Yep - lodging options in all price categories, more Dutch and German spoken than Spanish, less variety of activities than on Roatán, beaches aren't as nice, good snorkeling from shore but a bit harder to access, great diving but boat trips are longer.

"Roatan is the more developed, more expensive and more spectacular island which is frequented by people on short jaunts who would rather get what they want fast and luxuriously"

A bit more spendy but still good budget and mid-priced lodging and eating options. Good shore snorkeling and diving (basically as cheap as Utila), most sites closer to the dock than off Utila, West Bay beach is gorgeous. Lots of rentals and options for long term stays.

"Guanaja seems like it is less developed and because of that you pay more than Utila, and perhaps has less nice beaches/reefs"

Less developed, more expensive, harder to get to (very limited flights, no regular ferries), most lodging options are small resorts spaced out around the island, nice beaches and amazing diving, really phenomenal.

"And finally Cayos Cochinos is a national park so its best accessed on a day trip as opposed to staying there??"

There's one fancy lodge there for longer stays or I've heard it's possible to find rooms for rent on one of the smaller islands - haven't been there myself, even on a day trip.

Also, I really love Copán and the area around La Ceiba - lots of photos and recommendations linked below. Good luck and keep us posted!


My photos w/ blog & travelogue links on the main page of each collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
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